Read Online 0764214101 by Tracie Peterson - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Tracie Peterson
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know, all right?”
For some odd reason, tears sprang to Lillian’s eyes. She thoughther world had turned upside down when Grandfather said he never wanted to see her again. Well, the events of the past few hours had done quite a bit of emotional upheaval, as well. Add that to her tired state and she was quite a mess. “I will. Thank you so much for all your help today, Mrs. Clar—oh, sorry, Carla.”
“You’re most welcome.” The soft, plump woman reached out and hugged Lillian. Not one of those simpering ninny hugs where they barely touched and pretended to kiss each other’s cheek. No, this woman knew how to hug. She squeezed and made sure the recipient knew she meant it.
Lillian could use a hug like that every day. She hugged her new friend back and then followed Mr. Colton out the door.
She watched as several people along the street stopped and stared. No matter. She straightened her shoulders and stood proudly beside the wagon as Mr. Colton loaded her things. It wouldn’t do any good for her to doubt her new employer. She’d followed the good Lord and her dreams here, and this was the only option she had. Going home was out of the question.
One thing was certain, Woodward Colton was a large man. He stood almost a foot above her, and she wasn’t short for a woman. His broad shoulders accentuated his height, and the way his muscles bulged against his shirt as he lifted the trunks left no doubt he was strong. For a moment, she could imagine how the rumors had taken root. His size could be a bit intimidating. But he didn’t seem at all like a killer. At least from what she knew of him so far. And from what Carla had told her.
“Are you ready, Miss Porter?” He stood in front of her with his hat in his hand.
She blinked several times. How long had she been staring? “Why, yes, of course.”
He climbed into the wagon and reached down for her.
“Um . . .” Lifting her skirt, she realized she hadn’t been watching how he’d climbed into the wagon. Heat crept up her cheeks. “Is there a step?”
His deep chuckle was warm. “I do apologize. I’m guessing you’ve never ridden in a farm wagon before?”
She shook her head and tried not to laugh at herself. “I’ve only ridden in carriages, and there’s always a little step.”
“Well, let’s remedy that.” He hopped down from the wagon and pulled an empty wooden crate from the back. “Mrs. Goodman uses this.” He turned it upside down. “You can step on this, then the hub, and then the top of the wheel. You have to keep moving once you start. Otherwise, you could find yourself in trouble if the horses move. After a time, you won’t need the crate and can just step up on the hub.”
Lillian eyed the situation with a bit of skepticism. This was her new life, and she’d best learn quick. Woody went to hold the horses while Lillian worked up her courage. The traveling suit was difficult to maneuver in and quite heavy, but nevertheless she was determined. Lillian drew a deep breath, whispered a prayer, and then followed Woody’s directions.
Reaching the driver’s boot, she turned and beamed a smile at Woody. “I did it!”
He chuckled and released the horses’ harness. “That you did.” He retrieved the crate, and once he’d reloaded it in the back, he hopped up to the wagon seat as if it were no big feat. “I promise it’ll get easier.”
Lillian relaxed and drew a long, deep breath. It had been more of a hike to climb up into the wagon than she was used to, but she’d made it on the first try. Which brought a flood of relief. Her imagination had conjured up unladylike images of her sprawled in the street. As she settled onto the hard wagonseat, she thought about all the luxuries she’d taken for granted growing up in an affluent family. In fact, everyone she knew—even at church—was from the same walk of life. How many times had she missed a need because she’d been surrounded by people who lacked for nothing? When
For some odd reason, tears sprang to Lillian’s eyes. She thoughther world had turned upside down when Grandfather said he never wanted to see her again. Well, the events of the past few hours had done quite a bit of emotional upheaval, as well. Add that to her tired state and she was quite a mess. “I will. Thank you so much for all your help today, Mrs. Clar—oh, sorry, Carla.”
“You’re most welcome.” The soft, plump woman reached out and hugged Lillian. Not one of those simpering ninny hugs where they barely touched and pretended to kiss each other’s cheek. No, this woman knew how to hug. She squeezed and made sure the recipient knew she meant it.
Lillian could use a hug like that every day. She hugged her new friend back and then followed Mr. Colton out the door.
She watched as several people along the street stopped and stared. No matter. She straightened her shoulders and stood proudly beside the wagon as Mr. Colton loaded her things. It wouldn’t do any good for her to doubt her new employer. She’d followed the good Lord and her dreams here, and this was the only option she had. Going home was out of the question.
One thing was certain, Woodward Colton was a large man. He stood almost a foot above her, and she wasn’t short for a woman. His broad shoulders accentuated his height, and the way his muscles bulged against his shirt as he lifted the trunks left no doubt he was strong. For a moment, she could imagine how the rumors had taken root. His size could be a bit intimidating. But he didn’t seem at all like a killer. At least from what she knew of him so far. And from what Carla had told her.
“Are you ready, Miss Porter?” He stood in front of her with his hat in his hand.
She blinked several times. How long had she been staring? “Why, yes, of course.”
He climbed into the wagon and reached down for her.
“Um . . .” Lifting her skirt, she realized she hadn’t been watching how he’d climbed into the wagon. Heat crept up her cheeks. “Is there a step?”
His deep chuckle was warm. “I do apologize. I’m guessing you’ve never ridden in a farm wagon before?”
She shook her head and tried not to laugh at herself. “I’ve only ridden in carriages, and there’s always a little step.”
“Well, let’s remedy that.” He hopped down from the wagon and pulled an empty wooden crate from the back. “Mrs. Goodman uses this.” He turned it upside down. “You can step on this, then the hub, and then the top of the wheel. You have to keep moving once you start. Otherwise, you could find yourself in trouble if the horses move. After a time, you won’t need the crate and can just step up on the hub.”
Lillian eyed the situation with a bit of skepticism. This was her new life, and she’d best learn quick. Woody went to hold the horses while Lillian worked up her courage. The traveling suit was difficult to maneuver in and quite heavy, but nevertheless she was determined. Lillian drew a deep breath, whispered a prayer, and then followed Woody’s directions.
Reaching the driver’s boot, she turned and beamed a smile at Woody. “I did it!”
He chuckled and released the horses’ harness. “That you did.” He retrieved the crate, and once he’d reloaded it in the back, he hopped up to the wagon seat as if it were no big feat. “I promise it’ll get easier.”
Lillian relaxed and drew a long, deep breath. It had been more of a hike to climb up into the wagon than she was used to, but she’d made it on the first try. Which brought a flood of relief. Her imagination had conjured up unladylike images of her sprawled in the street. As she settled onto the hard wagonseat, she thought about all the luxuries she’d taken for granted growing up in an affluent family. In fact, everyone she knew—even at church—was from the same walk of life. How many times had she missed a need because she’d been surrounded by people who lacked for nothing? When
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